Program selector switch



Jan. 2, 1951 R. l.. BERG 2,536,256

PROGRAM SELECTOR SWITCH JNVENTOR. Ralph 1 Berg Patented Jan. 2, 1951 PROGRAM SELECTOR SWITCH Ralph L. Berg, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Hotpoint Inc., a corporation of New York Application November 22, 1949, Serial No. 128,869

11 Claims.

The present invention relates to program selectors, and more particularly to improved program selector switches of the character of that disclosed in the copending application of Douglas F'. Illian, Serial No. 91,906, filed May 7, 1949.

The program selector switch disclosed in the Illian application mentioned is especially suitable for use in controlling the automatic cycle of such home appliances as dishwashing apparatus, clothes washing machines, and the like. This switch essentially comprises a rotatable operating shaft having an off position and a plurality of control positions and rotatable continuously in a given direction from its olf position into its first control position, thence into its second "control position, etc., and ultimately back into its off position. A manually operable control dial or knob is carried on the outer end of the operating shaft to provide for rotation thereof, and a number of insulating control cams are Asecured to the inner end of the operating shaft and cooperate with corresponding sets of switch springs. The sets of switch springs are selectively operated between open and closed circuit positions by the selective rotation of the control cams, and are included in the Various operating circuits of the associated appliance so that the appliance may be operated through a predetermined operating cycle. Also, the switch comprises an electric timer motor arrangement operatively connected to the operating shaft for rotating it at a predetermined rate in the given direction, a slip clutch being included in this arrangement so that rotation of the operating shaft by the manually operable control dial does not interfere with the operation of the timer motor. One of the operating circuits of the appliance comprises the electric timer motor and this circuit is controlled by the associated set of switch springs so that it is completed in response to rotation of the operating shaft away from its off position into any one of its control positions and so that it is interrupted in response to the rotation of the operating shaft back into its olf position.

In view of the foregoing description of the construction and arrangement of this program selector switch and the connection thereof in the associated appliance, it will be appreciated that in response to manual rotation of the operating shaft from its off position into its first control position, an automatic timed operation vthereof is initiated so that the predetermined 'cycleof operation of the appliance is carried out on a timed basis, and ultimately rotation of the operating shaft is arrested in response to the return thereof into its off position. This arrangement permits the user of the appliance selectively to omit or skip any one or more of the phases in the operating cycle of the appliance and selectively to repeat any one or more of the phases in the operating cycle of the appliance by the appropriate manipulations of the manually operable control dial.

While these selective operations of this program selector switch are very advantageous in that they lend maximum exibility to the control of the associated appliance, this very flexibility may result in improper operation of the appliance unless some care is exercised by the user in the manipulation of the manually operable control dial. Specifically, the user may seize the control dial and rotate it hurriedly in the given direction from its off position through its first control position into its second, etc., control position and then release the control dial in order that automatic timed operation of the program selector switch may take place. In this case operation of the associated appliance is initiated in the second, etc., phase of its operating cycle, the first, etc., phase thereof having been skipped or omitted due to the careless initial manipulation of the control dial by the user. In some appliances this skipping of the first phase of the operating cycle thereof may be of little consequence, but in other appliances, such, for example, as dishwashing apparatuaand the like, the skipping of the first phase of the operating cycle thereof renders the performance of the remainder of the phases of the operating cycle thereof Virtually useless, whereby the appliance fails to perform its intended function or operation. This characteristic of this program selector switch may prove to be annoying to the user of an appliance as the difference between satisfactory and unsatisfactory operations of the appliance depends upon the small angle of rotation of the operating shaft in the program selector switch between its first and second control positions, and the user must sense the first control position of the operating shaft in the switch by the feel thereof during the initial manipulation of the manually operable control dial.

l Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to provide in a multiposition program selector switch of the combination manually and automatically operated type, an arrangement for preventing inadvertent manual operation thereof through a given one of its control positions and for accommodating contemplated manual operai a,536,256 i tion thereof through other ones of its control positions.

Another object of the invention is to provide in a program selector switch of the character described, an arrangement responsive to rotation of the operating shaft by the manually operable control dial from its off position into its first control 'position for disabling the manually operable Vcontrol dial and responsive to rotation of the operating shaft by the electric timer motor through a given angle from its rst control position, for again enabling the manually operable control dial, whereby inadvertent skipping of the first control phase of the switch b y the user is avoided while preserving tothe user the facility of contemplated skipping of subsequent control phases of the switch.

A further object of the invention is to 'provide in a program rselector switch of the character described, an improved stop mechanism that is selectively operative toblo'ck and to unblock'rotation v'of 'the manually operable control -dial and that is selectively 'governed jointly by manual oper-ation of the manually operable vcontrol dial fand 'by 'automatic operation of the associated P timer. v

Further features of the invention pertain to the particular arrangement Vof 'the elements of 'the program'selector Switch, whereby the laboveoutlined andadditional operating features there- `affare attained. Y

The invention, both as to its organization vand 'method of operation, together with further :objects andadva'nta'ge's thereof, will 'best be understood by 'reference to theV following specification .taken in .connection with the accompanying idravvingsLin which Figure "1 Y,is a long-itudinal sectional View of a program selector switch embodying the .present invention; Fig. 2 is afrag- Amentary exploded perspective view of the Vprincipal operating Ymechanism of the switch vshown iin Fig. 1V; Fig.3 is a partial electric diagram pf the`- circuit control arrangement of an appliance ing-Which -thewswitrch 4ofuliig. 1 is incorporated; Eig. ffliis. a longitudinalsetgnal viewiof a modifedvferm ofthe program, selector switch embgdytihg the. present invention andFig ;5 is afresmeateryxpleded psrspetir View, .Qf the nl hclripaloperating mechanism of the switch shown Referring now to Figs. ,1" and 2 of the drawings, jt'he'reffis illustratedaJ prdgram selector Switch I3 Tortue haraeter'of that dis'ei's'din tiiepr'eveug- Iy mentioned 'finan application and int'dyiiig 'the features sfv the present invention The ,switch 'It is incorporated in an actuantes ,'tii'e 'front and top 'Walls' of which are indicated gn- 4erally'at I Zand `tftll'e switch lll'bengnsuitably supported upon `the structurejhot' sho'wmof the 'appliance n.. The switch it is ef'theceibiriation manually and 'timer controlled Ytjj/pe and "comprises a front plate I4 having alc'as'ingfl 5 detachably secured thereto and carrying a sup'DOrting bracket 'i6 'withintheca'sing'I'5,"the bracket 'f6 being secured to 'the plate Id by a `'pair of screws Il. A first rotatable operatingshaftf'S the `plate I4 and projects forwardly through a 'lhole I9 provided inthe front V4wall I2 to the'exis `ber 22'1suitably secured to the fron-t'Wal-l I2. qA I.;

second rotatable operating shaft 23 is suitably journalled in an opening provided in the bracket I6 and projects forwardly toward the inner end of the shaft I8, the shafts I8 and 23 being arranged in axial alignment. More particularly, the outer end of the shaft 23 carries a forwardly projecting pin or bearing portion 24 that is received in a cooperating cylindrical bearing openingn 25 formed in the inner end bf the shaft I8, whereby the 'outer end of the shaft 24 `and the inner end of the shaft I8 mutually support each other and are rotatable with respect to each other-due Yto the bearing connection 24-25.

A lost-motion drive connection is provided between the ,shafts -I8 and 23 by an arrangement including a cam 26 rigidly secured to the inner end of the .shaft I3 and a gear 2l rigidly secured to the outer end of the shaft 23. More particularly, the cam 26 is provided with a rearwardly extending finger 28 that projects into an arcuate shaped :slot or opening 29 formedinthegea-r 21, the arcuate `width of the finger 28 being some;- -what less 'than the arcuate width of the slot 29 'so that the zshaf-t I6 mus-t be rotated through Ya small angle in order 'to cause the vopposi-tejsides ofthe linger 28 to engage the opposite endsof the slot -23 to provide thelost-motion mentioned.

Also the switchl t0 comprises fa third rotatable operating'shaft-{iil and a stub shaft 3I arranged `substantially in 'alignment with respect to each other and disposed aboverthe shafts I8 and 23. The outer 'end `of the'sh'aft 30 is suitably journalled in an opening provided -in the plate I4 and the inner Vend of thestub shaft -3I is suitablyjourfnailed in-an cpeningprovided inthe bracket I6, the4 inner end of the 4shaft 33 and the outerend iof the shaft SI terminating in la 'friction clutch 32. The-details of the .friction clutch 32 are not illustrated, but the `adjacent face plates thereof are urged .into frictional engagement with each -other and-,are respectively rigidly secured to the shafts 30 and .3| for a `purpose more full-y explained hereinafterr The shafts -23 and 30 are interconnected zby aspeed-change Ygearing arrangement including the gearYZ'I rigidly'secured to the shaft lZILand-a pinion 33 rigidly `secured to Ythe shaft 313. The gear 2"Isecured Lto the shaft 23 has Vprecisely Nti'mesl as many teeth as the pinion 33 secured to the s-haft 30, where Niseq'ual to 3. 'Accordingl-y, the 'gearing noted effects `a 1:3 speed `ratio between the shafts H23 and 5301; whereby tone revolution of the shaft "23 "e-lects three revolutions of the shaft 30 andone lrevo- .lutionfof the shaft -Brei'ects 1/3 revolutionof the shaft -23.- Y Furtherzthe switchl comprises a .timer motor` unit34 of the leleraro-responsive type that is also carried by the bracket It. The timer motor unit 34 may be of the Telechronv type including ari/electric motor proper 35jand a gear box 3B housing the usual speedreduction gearing, the speed reduction gearing housed within` the gearbox interconnecting ythestub shaft 3l andthe -rotor of the .motorproper .35. The gearing within `the lgear box 3El is Y'so `con-- .structed and. arranged lthat whenwthe motor proper 35 is energized Vfroma 115 volts 60 cycle A, C4. source the stub shaft N3| is rotated inthe counterclockwise direction, as viewed from the front of the switch I0, at'a speed ofprecisely three revolutions per hour. Y v

e Further, theswitch I0 -comprisesstop mechanism that is selectively operative to block and :to unblock rotation of the manually yrotatable shaft I8 and including a pawl 3'I pi-votaglly mounted upon-a rearwardly projectingfpinqn carried by the plate I4, the pawl 31 being biased in the counterclockwise direction, as viewed from the front of the switch I0, about the pin 38 by a coil spring 39. The coil spring 39 surrounds the pin 38 and is disposed betweenthe plate I4 and the pawl 31, one end of the coil spring 39 engaging the bracket I6 and the other end of the coil spring 33 engaging the pawl 31. The outer operating end of the pawl 31 rides the peripheral surface of the cam 26 and cooperates with an outwardly projecting shoulder 40 disposed thereon. Also, the outer operating end of the pawl 31 is disposed closely adjacent to the outer face of the gear 21 and cooperates with a forwardly projecting tongue 4I struck therefrom.

Further, the switch li) comprises two spacedapart insulating control cams Cl and C2 rigidly Secured to the shaft 23 and two insulating control cams C3 and C4 rigidly secured to the shaft 30. Four sets of switch springs SI, S2, S3 and S4 are respectively operatively associated with the four control cams CI, C2, C3 and C4 and are respectively operated thereby into various circuit controlling positions. Specically, Jthe set of switch springs SI comprises three individual springs, the uppermost of which rides upon the periphery of the control cam CI; and the periphery of the control cam CI is so constructed and arranged that it may selectively move the uppermost switch spring selectively to open and to close the contacts X between the uppermost switch spring and the intermediate switch spring and that it may selectively move the intermediate switch spring to open and to close the contacts Y between the intermediate switch spring and the lowermost switch spring. The set of switch springs S2 comprises three individual springs, the intermediate of which rides upon the periphery of the control cam C2; and the periphery of the control cam C2 is so constructed and arranged that it may selectively move the intermediate switch spring selectively to open both of the contacts I and 2 between the intermediate switch spring and the respective upper and lower switch springs or to close either of the contacts I and 2. The set of switch springs S3 comprises three individual springs, the intermediate of which rides upon the periphery of the control cam C3; and the periphery of the control cam C3 is so constructed and arranged that it may selectively move the intermediate switch spring selectively to open or to close either of the contacts I and 2 between the intermediate switch spring and the respective upper and lower switch springs. The set of switch springs S4 comprises two individual springs, the lower of which rides upon the periphery of the control cam C4; and the periphery of the control cam C4 is so constructed and arranged that it may selectively move the lower switch spring selectively to open and to close the associated contacts between the lowel switch spring and the upper switch spring.

The manually rotatable shaft iii is journalled for rotation in either direction but is normally rotated only in the clockwise direction, as viewed from the front of the switch ill, and comprises an off position and an on position. pointer 2l carried on the control dial Eil respectively registers with the legends 01ml and on carried upon the index member 22 when the shaft I8 is rotated into its respective off and on positions. The operating shaft 23 comprises an olf position and a plurality of control positions. The oi positions of the shafts I8 and 23 are coordinate; and the on position of the shaft I8 is coordinate with the first control position of the shaft 23. Moreover, the cam 26 is rigidly secured to the inner end of the shaft I8 in a predetermined position so that when the shaft I8 is rotated in the clockwise direction by the manual control dial 2l) from its off position into its on position, the operating end of the pawl 3l engages the shoulder 4B provided on the cam 2S preventing further rotation of the shaft I5 by the manual control dial 2li. Further, as the shaft I2 is rotated from its olf position into its on position the finger 2S provided on the cani 25 moves in the slot 29 provided in the gear 21 taking up the lost-motion previously mentioned and then engages the end of the slot rotating the shaft 23 from its olf position into its first control position. As the shaft 23 is rotated in the clockwise direction the gear 21 rigidly secured thereto drives the meshing pinion 33, whereby the operating shaft 33 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction, the friction clutch accommodating rotation of the shaft Sii in the counterclockwise direction with respect to the stub shaft 3! so that there is no interference with the timer motor unit 34.

Considering now the operation of the switch in greater detail and in conjunction with Fig. 3, when the shaft i8 is rotated in the clockwise direction from its off position into its on position by the manual control dial 2i), the shaft 23 is rotated from its off position into its first control position as previously noted, whereby the control cam CI operates the set of switch springs Si to close the X and Y contacts thereof. `ihen the X contacts of the switch Si are thus closed, a circuit, traced hereinafter, is completed for energizing the electric timer motor 35, whereby the electric timer motor 35 drives the shaft Si in the counterclockwise direction through the gearing in the gear box 325; and the stub shaft 3i drives the shaft 3G in the counterclockwise direction through the friction clutch 32. Rotation of the shaft 3! in the counterclockwise direction drives the shaft 23 in the clockwise direction through the gearing, including the pinion 33 and the gear 21. As the gear 2i thus driven in the clockwise direction, the slot 2t2 formed therein moves with respect to the finger 2B carried by the cam 23 that is rigidly secured to the shaft i8, whereby the shaft 23 is rotated through a small given angle in the clockwise direction independently of the shaft I8 and corresponding to the lost-motion between the finger 2S and the slot 29. As the gear 21 is thus rotated in the clockwise direction through the small given angle mentioned the tongue It struck therefrom engages the operating end of the pawl rotating the pawl 3"! in the clockwise direction about the pin 3S and against the bias of the coil spring 39, whereby the operating end of the pawl Si disengages the shoulder 43 provided on the cam 23. At this time when the lost-motion has been taken up between the nger 28 and the slot 2Q, the pawl 31 has been removed from engagement with the shoulder 4t, whereby continued rotation of the shaft 23 in the clockwise direction effects additional rotation of the shaft i8 in the clockwise direction due to the engagement between the slot 29 and the finger 23.

Accordingly, it will be understood that when the operating shaft I8 is rotated in the clockwise direction through a predetermined angle from its off position into its on position by the manual control dial 2t] that the pawl 3i operates to block further rotation of the shaft I8 by the manual control dial 20, and the shaft 23 is rotated inthe clockwise direction through a lesser angle from its oi position into its rst contro1 positon. k In its first "control position the shaft 23 causesthe control cam CI to govern the setrof switch springs SI in order to initiate operation of the electric motor 3 5, whereby the shaft 23 is Vrotated further in the clockwise direction through the gearing 33 2'i, the shaft 33, the clutch 32 andthe stub 3I by the timer motor unit 34, When the shaft 23 is rotated further in the clockwise direction from its first control position through a given angle therefrom, the tongue 4I operates the pawl 3'! to unblock fur ther rotation of the shaft I8, whereby continued rotation of the shaft 23 in the clockwise direction effects further rotation of the shaft I8 in the clockwise direction. In the arrangement, the sum of thelesser angle and the given angle ci" rotationof the shaft 23 is substantially equal to the predetermined angle of rotation of the shaft i3. In other words, the original lost-motion between the cam 26 and the gear 21 is taken up by the gear 2'! to initiate .further rotation of the cam 26 just as the pawl 3? is operated from its blocking position into its unblocking position.

As the timer motor unit V311 continues to operate, the shaft 23 is rotated further in the clockwise direction through its second, third, etc., control positions and the shaft IS and the manual control dial 20 is rotated therewith. Ultimately, after a considerable time interval the timer motor unit `33 eilects rotation of the shaft 23 the remainder of a complete revolution, whereby the shafts 23 and I 8 are again returned to their olf positions, the pointer 2I carried by the manual control dial 20 again registering the legend off carried by the index member 22 at this time. When the shaft 23 is thus returned in the clockwise direction back into its off position the set of switch springs SI are again operated by the control cam CI in order to open the contacts X and Y thereof, whereby the circuit for energizing the electric motor 35 is interrupted arresting further operation thereof.

Considering now in greater detail the electric control circuit that may be incorporated in the appliance I I, as illustrated in Fig. 3, the arrangement may comprise two power conductors respectively marked V+ and that are connected to a 115 volts 60 cycle A; C, source of current supply, the conductor being grounded in the appliance II. Further, the appliance may comprise aA master switch MS arranged in the conductorand amain operating motor M, as well as two devices DI and D2. The operating circuit for the main motor M extends directly from one terminal of the master switch MS to the uppermost spring of the set of switch springs SI; the operating circuit for the device DI extends from one terminal of the master switch MS via the intermediate and lowermost springs of the set of switch springs S2, the intermediate and lowermost springs-of the set of switch springs f oil position in to its rst control position, approximately 620., the control cam CI .operates the set of switch springs SI to close both'the'X and Y contacts thereof, whereby operation of the tirnenmotor 35 is initiated, as previously eX- plained, and operation of the main motorM 4is also initiated. Also, at this time, the control cam G2 operatesthe setof switch springs S2 to close the contacts I thereof in order to effect operation of both of the devices DI and D2. the operating shaft 2,3 is subsequently rotated in the clockwise direction through its various controlf positions the control cams C3 and C4 respectively operate the sets of switch Vsprings 'S3' andSA, whereby the devices DI and D2 are selectively controlled.

When the operating shaft 23 is rotated in the clockwise direction into a `predetermined one of its control positions, the position, the control cam C2 operates the set of switch springs S2 to open the contacts I thereof in order to preclude further selective operations of the devices DI and D2 under the respective controls of the sets of switch springs 4S3 and SQ. Subsequently, when the control shaft 23 is rotated vin the clockwise direction into a further of its control positions, the 300 position, the 'control cam `CI operates the set of switch springs SI to open the contacts Y without opening the contacts X thereof whereby, operation ofthe main motor is arrested while operation of the timer motor 35 is continued. Ultimately, when the operating shaft 23 `is rotated in the clockwise directionbackinto its of position, the 360 or 0 position, the control cam CI operates the set of switch springs Si to open the contacts Xthereof in order to arrestA further operation of the timer motor 35, as previously noted. At this time the cycle of Operation ofthe appliance I I has been completed and all of the electric circuits are open.

The above-described cooperation between the set of switch springs S2 and S3 jointly `to control the device DI, and the cooperationbetween the sets of switch springs S2 and S4 jointly to control the device D2, are very advantageous` in view of the fact that the sets of switch springs S3 and S4 are rendered operative actually to control the devices DI and D2, respectively, bythe set of switch springs S2 onlyin the segment of the control cam C2 carried by the operating shaft 23 through the arc between 62 and 180 thereof, notwithstanding the rotation of the control cams C3 and C4 carried by the operating shaft 30 through an arc of 1080". Accordingly, the ne control of the control cams C3 and C4 may be employed during only one revolution thereof, notwithstanding the circumstance that the control cams C3 `and C3 are actually rotated three revolutions during one revolution of the Vcontrol cam C2.

In `yiewcf the foregoing description, it will be understood that the user of the appliance I I, upon seizing the manually rotatable control dial 2li, may not hurriedly rotate the control dial 20 in the clockwise .direction from its off positionbeyond its on position .due to the operation of the pawl Si into yits blocking position; whereby, the shaft 23 is operated from its off position into its first control position. However, after a short time interval rotation of .the gear 2'! by the shaft 23 operates the pawl 31 to its unblocking position, whereby the user `of the appliance IVI may then rotate the manual control dial `2E! further in the clockwise direction in order to bring about skipping or omission of the corresponding phases,-

beyond the rst phase, of the cycle of operation of the switch IIJ, and, consequently, of the appliance II. Thus, it will be appreciated that while inadvertent skipping or omission of the first phase in the cycle of operation of the switch IU is prevented, contemplated skipping or omitting of subsequent phases in the cycle of operation of the switch I5 is permitted; all due to the selective operation of the pawl 37 between its blocking and unblocking positions, as previously explained. This arrangement preventing the inadvertent skipping of the rst phase in the cycle of operation of the switch I5 is very advantageous as it positively prevents inadvertent improper operation of the appliance II; while this arrangement permitting the contemplated skipping of the subsequent phasesin the cycle of operation in the switch I lends flexibility to the control of the appliance II so that a particular phase or phases in the cycle of operation of the appliance I may be selectively omitted or repeated.

In passing it is noted that in the construction of the switch I the manual control dial 2) is always selectively rotatable in the counterclockwise direction since the pawl 3'I is selectively operative only to block the rotation of the shaft I3 in the clockwise direction. Accordingly, the user of the appliance I I may always select a predetermined phase in the cycle of operation of the switch Iii by rotating the manual control dial 2|) in the counterclockwise direction in order to set the operating shaft 23 in the corresponding one of its control positions. When the shaft 23 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction the shaft 3|) is rotated in the clockwise direction independently of the stub shaft 3| due to the arrangement of the friction clutch 32. In this case, operation of the timer motor unit 34 is initiated, whereby the shaft 30 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction and the shaft 23 is rotated in the clockwise direction; all in the manner previously described.

Referring now to Figs. 4 and 5 of the drawings, there is illustrated a modified form of the pro- VVgram selector switch III) embodying the features of the present invention and incorporated in the associated appliance I I I. The switch I II) is of the combined manual and timer controlled type and comprises a front plate II4, a main casing i ld suitably detachably secured to the plate I4 and an auxiliary casing ||5b suitably secured to the main casing IIEc. In this construction the switch I Iii comprises the rst and second operating shafts H8 and |23 arranged in axial alignment, the inner end of the shaft I I8 being journalled for rotation in an opening provided in the plate I I4 and projecting through an aligned hole I I9 formed in the front wall I I2 of the appliance I I I, and the inner end of the shaft |23 being journalled for rotation upon the rear of the main casing II5a. In this arrangement, the outer end of the shaft |23 carries the cylindrical bearing pin |24 that proiects into the cylindrical bearing opening I 25 provided in the inner end of the shaft H8 so that the shafts I I8 and |23 may be rotated through a small angle with respect to each other. In this case, the cam |26 is rigidly secured to the inner end of the shaft I I8 and provided with the4 finger |25 that cooperates with the slot |25 provided in the clement I2`| to eect the lost-motion connection between the cam |25 and the element |2-' for the purpose previously explained in conjunction with the construction of the switch I5. In this embodiment of the switch I In the element |21 does not comprise a gear and the peripheralv each 45 seconds.

surface thereof is provided with the cam portion I 4| corresponding to the tongue 4I, provided on the outer face of the gear 2? in the switch IIJ. This embodiment of the switch III) further comprises the pawl |31 that is pivotally mounted upon the pin |38 that is carried by the plate I I5 and the cooperating coil spring I 39 for biasing the pawl |3'I in the counterclockwise direction about the pin |38.

In the switch IIG a dial |2| is rigidly secured to the eXtreme outer end of the shaft I IS employing a key I2Ia, the dial |2I being disposed adjacent to the outer surface of the front wall I2 and cooperating with the index member |22 carried thereon. The dial I2| carries a forwardly projecting centrally disposed threaded stub I2 Ib that supports a manually rotatable control knob |25, a `centrally disposed internal opening provided in the control knob being threaded as indicated at |223@ and engaging the threaded stub I2Ib. This arrangement of the dial I2| and the control knob |20 permits rotation of the dial |2l in the clockwise direction as viewed from the front of the switch II by rotation of the control knob in the clockwise direction; however, ro-

tation of the dial I2I in the counterclockwise direction by the control knobv |20 is positively prevented by virtue of the circumstance that the threaded portions |2|Ja and I2Ib merely unscrew when the control knob |20 is rotated in the coun-v terclockwise direction.

In the switch III) a timer motor unit 200 is provided for the purpose of rotating the shaft |23 in the clockwise direction in timed steps. Specifically. the unit 255 is of the Mallory escapement type and comprises an electric motor 25| that is operated at a synchronous speed from a suitable source of 115 volts 60 cycle A. C. current supply. The motor 29| is suitably supported in the auxiliary casing I5b and is provided with an operating shaft 252 that cooperates with speed reduction gearing indicated generally at 253 for the purpose of rotating a shaft 254 extending into an escapement mechanism indicated generally at 255. The escapement mechanism 295 is so constructed and arranged that by virtue of the gearing 253 extending between the mechanism 205 and the operating shaft 222 of the motor 20|, a shaft 255 is released in steps. Specifically, the

. shaft 206 is released each seconds and rotates through 1X2 revolution upon each release thereof. The shaft 255 has a pinion 251 rigidly secured therethrough that meshes with a pinion 208 rigidly secured to a shaft 229. The shaft 259 also carries a disk 2I|3 that supports a pawl 2I| that cooperates with a ratchet wheel 2|2 rigidly secured to a shaft 2|3 that projects between the auxiliary casing 2|5b and the main casing 2|5a. A pinion 2|@ is rigidly secured to the shaft 2I5 and meshes with a gear 2 Il' that is rigidly secured to the operating shaft |23.

Considering now the general operation of the timer motor unit 25|), when the motor 2IJI is energized, it operates to rotate the shaft 252 in the clockwisedirection, as viewed from the front of the switch |I 5, through the gearing-2|l3 eifecting operation of the escapement mechanism 205, whereby the shaft 25S is rotated step by Step 1/2 revolution each step in the clockwise direction The shaft 255 effects rotation of the shaft 25@ step by step in the counterclockwise direction 1/2 revolution each step each 45 seconds by virtue of the gearing 291-208. Rotation of the vshaft 259 vstep by Step in the counter.-

r cicckwise direction, effectglmtauon of the shaft 213 step by'step in the .counterclockwise direction due to the pawl and' ratchet mechanism drive 2|l i.-2, |2, whereby the pinion 2 I6 drives Vthe gear 211v step by step in the clockwise direction effecting corresponding step by step rotation of the operating shaft |23.V The ratio of the gearing 21e-211, is i011,v whereby upon each release of the shaft 2 I3 through an angle of V180" eachk 45 seconds the operating sha-ft |23 is rotated through an angle of i1/ each 45. seconds. Thus, the operating shaft |23 is rotated step by step in the clockwise direction by the timer motor unit 200, L11/2" each step at 45 second intervals, whereby the average rate of rotation of the operating shaft |23, is one revolution per hour.

Finally, the switch H8 comprises a plurality of insulating controlcams rigidly secured, to the operating shaftf|23 and operativelyV associated with corresponding sets of switch springs. For example, the operating shaft |23 may carry the control cams C|| and C|2l that respectively cooperate with the sets of switch springs VS|| and S |2. The circuit for the appliance including the operating circuit of the electric motor 2, has not been illustrated in the interest of brevity as it is essentially the same as, that of the appliance V| I...

Considering now` the general operation of the switch im when the user of the appliance wishes to initiate operation thereof, he seizes the manualcontrol knob |213 and rotates it in the clockwise direction from its off position into its on position, whereby the pawl |31 blocks further rotation of the operating shaft IIB', whereby the operating shaft |23 is rotated through the lost-motion connection, including the elements |28 and |29 from its oif position into its first "controP position. At this time, operation ofthe electricrmotor 2il| is initiated, and 45 seconds thereafter the escapement mechanism 205, driven bythe electric motor 2M, brings about rotation of the operating `shaft |23 one step in the clockwise direction through an angle of 41/2". When the operating shaft |23 is thus operated out of its rst control position the member |21 operates the pawl |31 out of its blocking position so that, the operating'end of the pawl |31 disengages the shoulder 40 provided onfthe periphery of the cam |25, whereby the operating shaft I8 may be rotated by the user of the appliance further in the clockwise direction if he so desires. Continued operation of the electric motor effects continued step by step rotation of the operating shaft. |23, whereby it is rotated step by step through its various control positions and ultimately backinto its off position; whereupon, the circuit for energizing the electric motor 28| isy interrupted arresting further operation of the switch 2'||l. YAs the shaft 23 is rotated in the clockwise direction through its various "control positions, the control cams C| and C| 2 selectively operate the sets of'switch springs SII and SI2 in order to effect a cycle of operation ofthe appliance When the operating shaft H8 is initially` rotated from its off position into its on position` in the clockwise direction bythe manual control knob IZEJ' thegear 2|1 carried by the operating shaft |23 effects rotation of the shaft 21'3' in the counterclockwise direction through the pinion 2|6, whereby the teeth on the ratchet wheel' ;2 |2y override the pawl 2H carried by the disk 2|!! so that' rotation ofthe shaft 2|3 in the opunterclockwise direction does not interfere in anyway with'the timer motor unit ZIJU` After.'

the operating shaft |23 has been rotated in the clockwise direction away from its first control position the pawl I 31 is operated into its uri-' blocking position asy previously explained, whereby the user of the appliance at this time may rotate the control knob |20 further in the clockwise direction in order to causethe switch H0 to skip or omit the corresponding one or more phases in the cycle of operation thereof and consequently of the appliance In passing it is again noted that the user of the appliance may not rotate the operating shaft ||8 in the counterclockwise direction as rotation of the manual control knob |20 in the counterclockwisev direction merely effects unthreading of the control knob |20 from the dial |2| Without rotation of the dial |.2| and the operating shaft H8.

In view of the foregoing, it will be understood that the arrangement of the pawl |31 in the switch ||l prevents inadvertent operation of the switch Ilil through its rst control position by the user of the appliance while preserving contemplated operation of the switch l0 through its subsequent control positions by the user lending ilexibility to the control of the associated appliance In view of the foregoing considerations it is apparent that a combined manual and timer controlled program selector switch has been provided that is especially adapted Yfor use in controlling the cycle or program of operation of an associated appliance, such, for example, as dishwashing apparatus, or the like, wherein the program selector switch embodies facility for preventing inadvertent skipping of a predetermined control position thereof While preserving the facility of permitting contemplated skipping of other control positions thereof.

While there has been described what is at present considered to be the preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be understood that various modifications may be made therein, and it is intended to cover-in the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A program selector comprising an element A having an oif position and a plurality of control positions and being movable sequentially from its oil position through its various control positions and thence back into its off position, a manually operable member normally able to move. saidelement, a motor, a drive connection between said motor and said element for moving it, said drive connection accommodating movement of said element by said manually operable member independently of said motor, means responsive to movement of said element into a given one of its control positions by said manually operable member for disabling said manually operable member, means responsive. to movement of said element into its rst control" position for initiating operation of said motor, said motor moving said element through saidl drive connection from its rst control position through its other control positions back into its off position, means responsive to movement of said element a given distance from its given control position by said motor for again enabling said manuaily operable member,l means responsive to movement of said element into'A its off position for arresting operationl of said motor, and means' respon.,- Si've to movement of said element through its various control positions for effecting a predetermined cycle of control operations.

2. A program selector comprising a rotatable shaft having an off position and a plurality of control positions and being rotatable sequentially from its off position through its various control positions and thence back into its off position, a manually operable member normally able to rotate said shaft, a timer, a drive connection between said timer and said shaft for rotating it, said drive connection accommodating rotation of said shaft by said manually rotatable member independently of said timer, means responsive to rotation of said shaft into a given one of its control positions by said manually operable member for disabling said manually operable member, means responsive to rotation of said shaft into its rst control position for initiating operation of said timer, said timer rotating said shaft through said drive connection from its first control position through its other control positions back into its off position, means responsive to rotation of said shaft through a given angle from its given control position by said timer for again enabling said manually operable member, means responsive to rotation of said shaft into its off position for arresting operation of said tin er, and means responsive to rotation of said shaft through its various control positions for el'- fecting a predetermined cycle of control operations.

3. A program selector comprising a rotatable shaft having an olf position and a plurality of control positions and being rotatable sequentially from its off position through its various control positions and thence back into its off position, a manually rotatable member operatively connected to said'sha-ft for` rotating it, a timer, a drive connection between said timer and said shaft for rotating it, said drive connection accommodating rotation of said shaft by said manually rotatable member independently of said timer, stop mechanism operative to arrest rotation of said manually rotatable member, means responsive to rotation of said shaft into its rst control positions by said manually rotatable member for operating said stop mechanism, additional means responsive to rotation of said shaft into its rst control position for initiating operation of said timer, said timer rotating said shaft through said drive connection from its rst control position through its other control positions back into its off position, means responsive to rotation of said shaft through a given angle from its first control position by said timer for releasing said stop mechanism, means responsive to rotation of said shaft into its off position for arresting operation of said timer, and means responsive to rotation of said shaft through its various control positions for effecting a predetermined cycle of control operations.

4. A program selector comprising rst and second rotatable shafts, said first shaft having an off position and an on position and being rotatable sequentially from its olf position into its on position and thence back into its o position, said second shaft having an olf position and a plurality of control positions and being rotatable sequentially from its olf position through its various control positions and thence back into its off position, a manually rotatable member connected to said rst shaft -for rotating it, the off positions of said shafts being substantially coincident, a lost-motion drive mechanism interconnecting said shafts so that when said first shaft is rotated through a predetermined angle from its olf position into its on position said second shaft is rotated through a lesser angle from its off position into its rst control position, a timer, a drive connection between said timer and said second shaft for rotating it, said drive connection accommodating rotation of said second shaft by said first shaft through said drive mechanism independently of said timer, stop mechanism operative to arrest further rotation of said first shaft, means responsive to rotation of said r'st shaft into its on position for operating said stop mechanism, means responsive to rotation of said second shaft into its first control position for initiating operation of said timer, said timer rotating said second shaft through said drive connection from its rst control position through its other control positions back into its off position, means responsive to rotation of said second shaft through a given angle from its first control position for releasing said stop mechanism, said second shaft rotating said first shaft from its on position back into its off position through said drive mechanism, means responsive to rotation of said second shaft into its off position for arresting operation of said timer, and means responsive to rotation of said second shaft through its various control positions for effecting a predetermined cycle of control operations.

5. The program selector set forth in claim 4, wherein the sum of said lesse` angle and said given angle of rotation of said second shaft is substantially equal to said predetermined angle of rotation of said first shaft.

6. A program selector switch comprising rst and second rotatable shafts, said first shaft having an off position and an on position and being rotatable sequentially from its olf position into its on position and thence back into its off position, said second shaft having an off position and a plurality of control positions and being rotatable sequentially from its off position through its various control positions and thence back into its off position, a manually rotatable member connected to said rst shaft for rotating it, the off positions of said shafts being substantially coincident, a lostmotion drive mechanism interconnecting said shafts so that when said first shaft is rotated through a predetermined angle from its off position into` its on position said second shaft is rotated through a lesser angle from its off position into its rst control position, an electro-responsive timer, a drive connection between said timer and said second shaft for rotating it, said drive connection accommodating rot-ation of said second shaft by said rst shaft through said drive mechanism independently of said timer, stop mechanism operative to arrest further rotation of said rst shaft, means responsive to rotation of said first shaft into its on position for oper-ating said stop mechanism, a source of current supply, switching contacts, an operating circuit for said timer including said source and said switching contacts, means responsive to rotation of said second shaft into its first control position for closing said switching contacts in order to complete said opera-ting circuit so as to initiate operation of said timer, said timer rotating said second shaft through said drive connection from its first control position tlmmgh i-ts-` other "contror positions backv into its off position, means responsive to rotation of said second shaft through a. given angle. from -its first control position for releasing said stop mechanism, said second shaft rotating said first shaft from. its on position back into its off position through said drive mechanism, means responsive to rotation. of said second shaft into its .off` position for opening, said switching contacts in order to interrupt said operating circuit so asv to arrest operation of said timer, and .3, plurality ofv controlcontacts selectively operated in response to rotation of said second shaft through its various control positions in order to effect a predetermined cycle of control operations.

' Y. A program selector comprising rst and second rotatable shafts, said iirst shaft having an off position and an on position and being rotatable sequentially from its off position into its on vposition and thence back into its off position, said second shaft having an off position and a plurality' of control positions and beingrotata-blesequentially from its off position through its various control positions and thence. back into its oi position, aY manually rotatable member connected to said first shaft for rotating it, the 01T positions of said shafts being substantially coincident, a lost-motion drive mechanism interconnecting said Shafts so that when said rst shaft is rotated through a predetermined angle from its on position into its. on position said second shaft is rotated through a lesser angle from its off position into its` iirst control position, a timer, a. drive connection between said timer and said second shaft for4 rotating it, said drive connection .accommodating rotation of said second shaft by said first shaft through said drive mechanism independently of said timer, a first cam carried by said first shaft, a second cam carried by said second shaft, a paWl cooperating With said cams, Said first cam being so constructed and arranged that said pawl is moved into stopping engagement therewith in response to rotation of said iirst shaft intov its on position preventing further rotation of said first shaft, means. responsive to rotation of said secondA shaft into its. first control position for initiating operation of said timer, said timer rotating said second shaft through. said drive. connection from its first control position through its other control positions back into its oi position, said second cambeing so constructed and arranged that it moves. said pawl. out of stopping engagement with said first cam in response to rotation of said vsecond shaft through a given angle from its first control position permitting further rotation of said iirst shaft, said second shaft rotating said first shaft from its on position back into its off position through said drive mechanism, means responsive. to rotation of said second shaft into its ofi position for arresting operation of .to rotation. of said shaft in either direction. into .a

given one of its control positions by said manually operable member for disabling said manually operable member to rotate said shaft further in said predetermined direction, a timer voperative continuously at a predetermined rate, a friction clutch drive connection between said timer and said shaft for rotating said shaft in said predetermined direction, said drive connection accommodating rotation of said shaft in either direction by said manually rotatable member independently of said timer, means responsive to rotation of said shaft in either direction into its first control position by said manually operable member for initiating operation of said timer, said timer rotating said shaft in said'predetermined direction through said drive connection from its first control position through its other control positions back into its off position, means responsive to rotation of said shaft in said predetermined direction through a given angle from its given control position by said timer for again enabling said manually operable member to rotate said shaft in said predetermined direction, means responsive to rotation of said shaft in either direction into its off position for arresting operation of said timer, and means responsive to rotation of Said shaft in said predetermined direction through its various control positions for effecting a predetermined cycle of control operations.

9. A program selector comprising first and second and third rotatable shafts, speed-change gearing interconnecting said second and third shafts so that when either one of said two lastmentioned shafts is rotated at one speed' the other of said two last-mentioned shafts is driven at another speed, said first shaft having an oi position and an on position and being rotatable sequentially from its o position into its on position and thence back into its oli position, said second shaft having an oif position and a plurality of control positions and being rotatable sequentially from its off position through its various control positions and thence back into its oli position, said third shaft having a plurality of control positions and being rotated sequentially therethrough, a manually rotatable member connected to said iirst shaft for rotating it, the off positions of said first and second shafts being substantially coincident, a lost-motion drive mechanism interconnecting said first and second shafts so that when said first shaft is rotated through a predetermined angle from its off position into its on position said second shaft is rotated through a lesser angle from its off position into its iirst control position, a timer, a drive connection between said timer and said third shaft for rotating it,said drive connection accommodating rotation of said second shaft by said first shaft through said drive mechanism and rotation of said third shaft by said second shaft through said gearing independently of said timer, stop mechanism operative to arrest further rotation of said first shaft, means responsive to rotation of said first shaft into its on position for operating said stop mechanism, means responsive'to rotation of said second shaft into its first control position for initiating operation of said timer, said timer r0- tating said third shaft through said drive connection and rotating said second shaft from said third shaft through said gearing from its first control position through its other control positions back into its off position, means responsive to rotation of said second shaft through a given angle from its first control position for releasing said stop mechanism, said second shaft rotating said rst shaft from its "on position back into its off position through said drive mechanism, means responsive to rotation of said second shaft into its off position for arresting operation of said timer, and means jointly responsive to rotation of said second and third shafts through their various control positions for effecting a predetermined cycle of control operations. A

10. A program selector comprising a rotatable shaft having an off position and a plurality of control positions and being rotatable in a predetermined direction sequentially from its off position through its Various control positions and thence back into its off position, a manually operable member normally able to rotate said shaft in said predetermined direction and unable to rotate said shaft in the opposite direction, means responsive to rotation of said shaft in said predetermined direction into its rst contro position by said manually operable member for disabling said manually operable member to rotate said shaft further in said predetermined direction, a timer operative intermittently at a predetermined rate, a paWl-ratchet drive connection between said timer and said shaft for rotating said shaft intermittently in said predetermined direction, said drive connection accommodating rotation of said shaft in said predetermined direction by said manually rotatable member independently of said timer, additional means responsive to rotation of said shaft in said predetermined direction into its first control position by said manually operable member for initiating operation of said timer,

said timer rotating said shaft intermittently in said predetermined direction through said drive connection from its rst control position through its other control positions back into its 01T position, means responsive to rotation of said shaft in said predetermined direction through a given angle from its first control position by said timer for again enabling said manually operable member to rotate said shaft in said predetermined direction, means responsive to rotation of said shaft in said predetermined direction into its olf position for arresting operation of said timer, and means responsive to rotation of said shaft in said predetermined direction through its various control positions for effecting a predetermined cycle of control operations.

11. The program selector set forth in claim 10, wherein said drive connection between said timer and said shaft also includes speed reduction gearing so that each intermittent operation of said timer effects only a small angular step of rotation of said shaft in said predetermined direction.

RALPH L. BERG.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,820,252 Shippy Aug. 25, 1931 1,828,126 Brown Oct. 20, 1931 2,204,532 Erbguth et al June 11, 1940 2,230,191 Knight Jan. 28, 1941 2,254,795 Daniels Sept. 2, 1941 

